Quick Take

A blazingly passionate memoir of identity and love: when a charismatic and troubled young woman dies tragically, her identical twin must struggle to survive.Christa Parravani and her identical twin, Cara, were linked by a bond that went beyond siblinghood, beyond sisterhood, beyond friendship. Raised up from poverty by a determined single mother, the gifted and beautiful twins were able to create a private haven of splendor and merriment between themselves and then earn their way to a prestigious college and to careers as artists (a photographer and a writer, respectively) and to young marriages. But, haunted by childhood experiences with father figures and further damaged by being raped as a young adult, Cara veered off the path to robust work and life and in to depression, drugs and a shocking early death.A few years after Cara was gone, Christa read that when an identical twin dies, regardless of the cause, 50 percent of the time the surviving twin dies within two years; and this shocking statistic rang true to her. "Flip a coin," she thought," those were my chances of survival." First, Christa fought to stop her sister's downward spiral; suddenly, she was struggling to keep herself alive.Beautifully written, mesmerizingly rich and true, Christa Parravani's account of being left, one half of a whole, and of her desperate, ultimately triumphant struggle for survival is informative, heart-wrenching and unforgettably beautiful.Wall Street Journal, "Favorite Books of the Year 2013"Cosmopolitan, "Best Books of the Year for Women"Library Journal, "Best Books of 2013"Salon, "Best Books of 2013"

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Her

Introduction

"Her" is a memoir written by Christa Parravani, detailing the author's journey through grief after the tragic death of her identical twin sister, Cara. The book explores the deep bond between twins, the challenges faced by individuals who have experienced trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit. With its powerful storytelling and raw emotions, "Her" has garnered critical acclaim and resonated with readers worldwide.

About Christa Parravani

Christa Parravani is the author of "Her: A Memoir," which shares her personal experiences of loss and grief. With an MFA in Visual Art from Columbia University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers Newark, Parravani is a gifted writer and artist. Her writing has been featured in various publications, including Guernica, Catapult, Hobart, Marie Claire, Glamour, The Washington Post, Salon, The Rumpus, The Daily Beast, The London Times, The Guardian, and DAME. Parravani has also taught at Dartmouth College, UMass Amherst, and Suny Purchase. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Creative Nonfiction at West Virginia University.

Analysis of Views

Intense Emotional Connection: Readers have found "Her" to be an intensely emotional and moving book. The author's ability to convey the deep bond between twins and the profound impact of loss has resonated with many readers.
Raw and Honest: Parravani's writing style has been praised for its raw and unflinching honesty. Readers appreciate the authenticity of her experiences and the vulnerability she displays throughout the memoir.
Powerful Storytelling: The storytelling in "Her" has been widely praised for its power and impact. The book's narrative structure and pacing have been praised for their ability to engage readers and keep them invested in the author's journey.
Insight into Identical Twins: Readers who are fascinated by the relationship between identical twins have found "Her" to be a valuable insight into the unique bond shared by these individuals. The book provides a glimpse into the complexities of identical twinhood and the challenges faced by those who lose their twin.
Tragic Tone: While some readers have appreciated the intense emotional journey depicted in "Her," others have found the overall tone of the book to be tragic and overwhelming. Some readers have expressed a desire for a more uplifting or hopeful resolution to the story.

Reasons for Recommendation

Intense Emotional Experience: Readers who appreciate books that evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact highly recommend "Her." The book's ability to convey the depth of grief and the resilience of the human spirit has been praised by many.
Authenticity and Honesty: The raw and honest nature of Christa Parravani's writing has been a major factor in recommending "Her." Readers appreciate her willingness to share her personal experiences and her ability to convey the complexities of loss and grief.
Powerful Storytelling: The storytelling in "Her" has been widely praised for its power and impact. Readers appreciate the way Parravani weaves together her personal experiences with insights into identical twinhood and grief, creating a compelling narrative that keeps them engaged throughout.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Tragic Tone: Some readers have found the overall tone of "Her" to be too tragic and overwhelming. They may prefer books with a more uplifting or hopeful resolution to their stories.
Lack of Resolution: A few readers have expressed disappointment with the lack of resolution in "Her." While the book does explore themes of grief and resilience, some readers may feel that it does not provide a clear resolution or sense of closure to the story.

Conclusion

"Her" by Christa Parravani is a powerful memoir that explores the deep bond between twins, the challenges faced by individuals who have experienced trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit. With its raw and honest writing style, intense emotional journey, and valuable insights into identical twinhood, "Her" has garnered critical acclaim and resonated with readers worldwide. While some readers may find the overall tone of the book tragic or lacking in resolution, many recommend it for its ability to evoke strong emotions and provide a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impact on readers.